Pirate: I have a Hollow living inside me

Redhead breathed a sigh of relief.

He was genuinely afraid that the Blackwing Demon wouldn't accept his apology and would start a great battle with him here.

Shanks doesn't want to fight this kind of unnecessary battle...

Wiping the sweat from his brow, the red-haired man looked at Hawkeye and smirked, "Is this guy always this fierce?"

That kind of attack was no casual strike; it was an all-out effort!

The Blackwing Demon is too ferocious!

"Once, Aokiji only threatened his companion, and then he was slashed. Even in a situation where he was injured in return, he still managed to hit Aokiji."

Hawkeye recalled some past events and calmly said, "He was attacked after saying a few more words. Back then, Blackwing Daemon didn't have the strength he has now, and he was no match for Aokiji..."

Redhead: "..."

The newspaper's assessment of the Blackwing Archdemon as "fierce" is accurate.

It is indeed quite fierce.

I felt inexplicably fortunate that I apologized in time.

Otherwise, he felt the Blackwing Demon would still be wielding his sword and slashing at him...

"Gulala, since you're here, come on over. I, Whitebeard Haijiao, am quite hospitable!"

Whitebeard's voice came from the deck and was heard by Redhead and Hawkeye.

"..."

The two exchanged a glance, and without hesitation, they stepped aboard the Moby Dick.

Redhead glanced at everyone in the room, his eyes flashing, then he chuckled, "You didn't even invite me to this banquet? We've known each other for years, Whitebeard..."

The white-bearded man glanced at the red-haired man and said indifferently, "Does a mere trainee crew member on Roger's ship think that just because he's climbed to the same level as me, he can talk to me on equal terms?"

The redhead ignored the white-bearded man's sarcasm and waved his hand, "Well, I came here to ask you for a few drinks, not to compare seniority with you."

The white-bearded man's tone was laced with disdain: "Want a few drinks? You've not only learned Roger's swordsmanship, but you've also picked up pretty much all of Roger's shamelessness..."

Redhead laughed heartily, not at all bothered by it but rather proud: "Hahaha, that's just Captain Roger's personality; he'll never miss a banquet!"

The white-bearded man scoffed, "You do resemble Roger in some ways..."

"Men, bring the wine!"

Whitebeard is also a hospitable person.

He wouldn't hesitate to treat others to hospitality as long as they didn't come with ill intentions.

The redhead said bluntly, "Give me the best wine. I'm a picky drinker!"

Hawkeye said very politely to Whitebeard, "Thank you for your help, Your Excellency Whitebeard."

After glancing at the two men, the white-bearded man shook his head and said, "You really need to learn some manners from others, or you'll suffer a great loss later..."

Redhead: "..."

Well, considering the other party treated him and was a senior figure, he decided not to hold it against them...

The red-haired man looked at Rocks and the others, and apologized again with an embarrassed smile: "Well... I was out of my mind just now, and caused trouble for this lovely little boat doctor. I sincerely apologize..."

He certainly hadn't considered that there was a small medic on the Blackwing Archmage's ship...

Others might be able to withstand his Conqueror's Haki when he "greets," but it would be more difficult for a little girl.

Even his Conqueror's Haki, which he used to "greet" him, was greatly reduced...

Xiao Yi waved her hand sheepishly, "It's...it's okay, I wasn't hurt at all, you don't need to apologize..."

Redhead laughed heartily: "It's still necessary. I'll have someone send an apology gift later. Little Doctor, please accept it. Otherwise, what if your captain uses this as an excuse to beat me up?"

"Well……"

Little Yi looked at Rocks, unsure of what to do.

Ruffalo patted Yi's head and said, "Since he wants to give it to you, Yi, you should accept it. Why not take it if it's free?"

The redhead clapped his hands and laughed, "Then it's decided."

At this moment, Hawkeye spoke up, looking at Rocks: "It's been a long time, Blackwing Archmage. This 'Swordsmanship Competition' is set up to complete the duel between you and me that ended inconclusively."

"It's all for the sake of vying for the title of 'World's Greatest Swordsman.' Are you mentally prepared? Don't give up halfway through this time!"

"I've been waiting for this battle for a long time. From the moment I picked up my sword, the title of 'World's Greatest Swordsman' has been my goal!"

Rocks took a sip of his drink and grinned, "I should say, are you mentally prepared? The title of the world's greatest swordsman will change hands tomorrow!"

Hawkeye's gaze was piercing: "I look forward to your challenge!"

Seeing the two men on the verge of exchanging blows, the white-bearded man laughed, a hint of anticipation in his eyes: "Gurara, I'm actually looking forward to tomorrow..."

The "Kendo Conflict" of the past was famous throughout the sea, and this "Kendo Conflict" will be even more interesting.

"But now... let's have a banquet!"

The people in the room ate and drank, and the atmosphere was harmonious.

The fact that the three "Emperors of the Sea" and one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea were so harmonious at this moment was something many people did not expect.

The banquet lasted until the evening.

After sucking the fishy smell, he left.

Watching the departing Bloodthirsty Demon, R.E.R. let out a breath and said to Whitebeard, "Dad, who do you think will win tomorrow's battle between Hawkeye and Blackwing Demon?"

"It's hard to say."

Whitebeard chuckled and said, "Hawkeye used to be able to go toe-to-toe with Shanks, and he's probably about the same now. He's the strongest of the Seven Warlords of the Sea."

"As for Rocks... you all know his record. He defeated that kid Akainu, and even Kaido couldn't do anything to him. His strength is terrifying."

"It's possible for either side to win or lose."

Without actually playing a match, it's impossible to say who will win.

Marco sighed, "The thought that the Blackwing Demon is the same age as Ace is unbelievable. How could such a monster exist in this world..."

"Gurrah, I also don't understand how Duke managed to raise such a monster..."

Whitebeard still finds it puzzling.

Looking at the somewhat dejected Ace, the white-bearded man chuckled again, "What's wrong? Did you get a shock? This isn't like you, Ace."

"The gap between me and him is too big."

Ace smiled wryly, "Even if I used all my strength, I probably couldn't withstand that sword strike from the Blackwing Demon earlier..."

Ace had witnessed Rocks's previous display of Elbaf's Might.

That terrifying attack left Ace somewhat dazed.

I was hit hard.

"..."

Whitebeard was at a loss for words to comfort Ace.

There is a difference between what you see with your own eyes and what you hear.

Although the Blackwing Demon's battle record is real, the description in the newspapers alone doesn't give it a strong sense of realism.

Only after witnessing the Blackwing Demon's attack firsthand did they realize the vast difference in their abilities.

The sense of frustration that comes from having a peer like that, or a peer who is used as a target, is indeed indescribable.

"Don't worry, Dad, I won't give up like this."

Ace exhaled, his eyes regaining their resolve: "Now is now, and the future is the future. As long as I live, I still have the potential to surpass him!"

The white-bearded man smiled with relief: "Gulala, it's good that you haven't lost your spirit."

"A temporary strength or weakness doesn't matter. You'll reach that level eventually; it's just a matter of time."

As long as you don't lose your spirit, anything is still possible.

Ace has great potential and reaching their level is no problem at all; the gap between them will be narrowed then...

……

Nothing was said that night.

The next morning.

Rocks and his men landed on Broken Mountain Island.

Broken Mountain Island.

As the name suggests, there is a broken mountain here.

It looked as if it had been cut in half, revealing a huge and smooth "platform".

This platform is the stage for the "Kendo Contest".

By this time, a considerable number of people had already gathered here.

The place was a mixed bag, with all sorts of people, not limited to sea monsters or swordsmen; anyone interested in this kind of thing came.

"Are you the 'Black Winged Demon' Lox?"

As Lockes and his companions were walking toward the central "platform," a burly man carrying a large sword suddenly blocked their path.

A rough but confident voice came from the big man's mouth: "Just a brat, yet he's been given the title of 'Emperor of the Sea'? I don't think you're qualified to stand shoulder to shoulder with the 'Four Emperors'!"

"Accept my challenge, Blackwing Demon! After defeating you, I will be the new 'Emperor of the Sea'!"

There will always be people in this world who want to gain fame by stepping on the strong.

The burly man in front of me is one of them...

He genuinely didn't believe that "Blackwing Demon" Rocks was qualified to stand alongside the other "Four Emperors".

They have blind confidence in their own abilities!

He wanted to defeat "Blackwing Demon" Lox and become famous throughout the world.

He then gradually expanded his power, eventually defeating the remaining "Sea Emperors" and becoming the new Sea Emperor.

People nearby also became interested after seeing the person who had stopped Rocks...

The "Kendo Contest" provides a stage where, if you're confident, you can challenge anyone, not just swordsmen...

"Oh? Someone's actually challenging the Blackwing Demon? Interesting..."

"I know this guy, 'Mad Ape' Doctor, with a bounty of 763 million Berries. I've heard he's an arrogant fellow, and quite strong. He even managed to escape from Vice Admiral Momousagi..."

"He does have some strength, but... how dare he challenge the Blackwing Demon?"

"That's why you say he's arrogant."

Vulgar and sensational opinions abound, with people displaying expressions of anticipation and amusement.

Aside from a few dimwits, no one else thought this "mad ape" could be a match for the "Black Winged Demon"...

"Challenge me?"

Lockes was somewhat taken aback.

As far as I can remember, this seems to be the first time someone has challenged him face-to-face.

interesting……

The mad ape, nearly three meters tall, looked down at Lockes, grinning with a ferocious expression: "That's right, I will pull you down from the position of 'Emperor of the Sea'!"

Looking at this arrogant guy, Nami snorted coldly: "Little Luo, let me handle this. I'll electrocute this fool into a charcoal!"

"I'll do it myself. After all, they specifically challenged me by name. What's the point of making you guys do it?"

Lox waved his hand.

He said to the burly man in front of him, "I accept your challenge. You have three seconds to prepare..."

"Hooray! Then let me show you the power of 'Mad Ape'! Starting with you, Blackwing Great Demon, I will step by step reach the pinnacle of the new world!!"

"Roar!"

The ape let out a low growl, and its form began to change, transforming into a burly, muscular black gorilla...